The day after the publication of the provisional results of the 24 March presidential election, President Macky Sall yesterday received his successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, at the Palace of the Republic, accompanied by his leader and political mentor, Ousmane Sonko. The audience essentially revolved around the major issues facing the State.

Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, elected as the fifth President of the Republic last Sunday, was granted an audience yesterday by his predecessor, President Macky Sall, whose term at the head of the country ends on 2 April.

Naturally, the two men discussed the major issues facing the State. The communication services of the Presidency of the Republic report that the « meeting (was) marked by courtesy ». During the meeting, « the two men discussed in depth the major issues facing the State, as well as the swearing-in ceremony and the handover of office ». The meeting was « followed by a visit to the Presidential Palace, where discussions continued in a solemn setting, marking the start of a significant political transition ».

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Yesterday’s audience was the first official meeting between President Macky Sall and his successor, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, since the initial results of last Sunday’s presidential election. It also comes a day after the publication of the provisional results by the National Commission for the Counting of Votes, sitting at the Dakar Court of Appeal.

Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye was accompanied by his leader and president of the Patriot Africans of Senegal for Ethics and Fraternity (Pastef) party, Ousmane Sonko. The latter, notepad in hand, was received by President Macky Sall.

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The handshake between the two men, who until recently were bitter adversaries before making peace with each other, has been immortalised and is sure to be commented on.

A radical opponent of President Macky Sall, Ousmane Sonko returned to the Palace of the Republic yesterday for the second time in his very young political career, after his visit during the Covid-19 health pandemic. This time, the roles seem to be reversed!

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH